Off to Mexico

So, it all started with a standard STD check, when the doctor said, “How long have you had that hernia?” Never at a loss for words, I instantly shot back, “That what?” “Hernia,” he said, apparently unphased by my wit. “That’s a hernia.”

This was, you understand, two days before I left for Vegas to move my stuff.

So, anyway, here we are today, and Reesa and I are off to Mexico, the land of mescal, mariachi bands, and $3000 (as opposed to $10,000 or $15,000) hernia surgery. I should be back in a few days, if all goes well. Keep the fires burning, and say many witty things while I’m gone.

Yikes! But I suppose it’s better to discover a hernia during an STD check than to find an STD during a hernia check…depending on the D, anyway. Best of luck, I’m sure everything will go well. Traveling for medical care is all the rage nowadays.

Being on the inside of things occasionaly, I know the medical form they sent you was for cosmetic surgery….so as long as you wake up minus a hernia and not plus a set of breasts or a new nose I think a trip to Mexico to save that kind of cash is well worth it. Said it before you left, but here it is again…drive safe, be well, come back to us feeling better, sir. 🙂

Steven Brust PJF, Why don’t you have insurance, WTF? You’re a New York Times bestselling author! Just buy some! Or are you going all Thelma and Louise for the same reason you won’t buy a real working (read: Mac or PC) computer? A socialist principle? No, don’t tell me. I don’t really want to know. I honestly do wish you mucho luck, you’re the best, but I get worried that you’re a little too impractical for your own good sometimes. Sigh. If they use you as a pinata let me know if minitature bottles of hungarian brandy and poker chips fall out to the squeeling delight of local children. Love ya man.

Tom: To insure me, a healthy 31 year old female, would cost me $389 per month. And that wouldn’t cover most bills associated with major surgery, especially for a pre-existing condition. I shudder to think how much Steve’s insurance bill would have to be, to then cover his surgery…

To insure me for a year would cost more than what Steve’s going to pay for surgery in Mexico.

Welcome to America, give us your money!

Oh, and, have a safe trip, may the surgeons have steady hands, and here’s hoping you heal fast, Steve!

Aaah, Mexico. Land of cheap dentistry and surgeries. I’ll be heading there myself, for the joyous addition of multiple crowns to my teeth, since even my nominally ‘generous’ dental insurance plan still leaves me thousands of dollars ‘out of pocket’ more than the trip cost.

Remember, tequila is the other, OTHER cheap Mexican painkiller.
PS. Smuggle back some regular unleaded. Its far cheaper. You could even fund your trip…

Will, about 16% of Americans are completely uninsured. I’m currently one of them, so I’m not casting aspersions there, just giving my literary hero some neighborly ball-breaking.

Jennifer, we’re about the same age. I know that getting insured is a priority for me. Isn’t it for you?

By the way, about 50% of Mexicans are uninsured, and of those how many do you think could afford a $3,000 procedure out of pocket? So let’s all get off the American health care sucks bandwagon, shall we? At least we have talented doctors coming to live here from all corners of the earth. Forgive me for being worried that my favorite writer is facing the (to me alone, it seems) dangerous prospect of going under the knife in a corrupt second world country not generally reputed for being a magnet for highly skilled professionals of any kind. I live in the hinterlands of Atlanta, and nearly 100% of my new neighbors are hardworking, industrious Mexicans who worked dilligently to escape that place.

If there’s no choice, there’s no choice, but is it too late to hide Steve in my pickup truck and smuggle him to Canada instead…? I know the man’s a card player, but this sounds like real gambling to me.

I spoke to them a little while ago and they were very close to El Paso at a rest stop. They should be getting into El Paso soon if they have not already. From there Steve travels to Mexico with the help of the hospital.

Tom in 25: Well, while, yes, I would like the luxury of insurance, I can’t afford it right now. I know I could use some dental work, my hormones need to be checked for random oddness, and heart disease runs in my family. But…

If I got the insurance that would take care of all that, and did so, and paid the co-pays and bought the prescriptions and did everything the doctors told me to do, I’d be a really healthy hobo.

In case that went by too fast, if I had insurance I wouldn’t have food, clothes, gas for my car, electricity for my house, or any of the other random things I have budgeted for. Or, I could have all of that and no apartment.

Instead, I have no insurance, but I do have a place to live and food to eat.

Hope it went well for you. My husband is facing the same surgery, and we are also considering going to Mexico. If you had a successful and happy (I know that’s relative) experience with your Mexican physician & medical facility – could you pass along the doctor’s name, location & # please. Thanks

What did you think of Dr. Natera and the Star Medica Hospital? I am planning Lap-band with him and this hospital but have not been able to find a lot of information. I heard it was hard to find research on MD’s in Mexico… What did you think about the service you received?

Random Quote

[The executive committee] supported the government set up by itself only “as a whole and in general,” and took the responsibility for the war “in so far as.” These petty trickeries are alien to the masses. Soldiers cannot fight “ in so far as,” or die “as a whole and in general.”